Setting speed limits has traditionally been the responsibility of states, except for the period of 1973-1994. During that time, the federal government enacted mandatory speed limit ceilings on interstate highways and similar limited access roads through a National Maximum Speed Limit.
Congress repealed the National Maximum Speed Limit in 1995. Since then, 41 states have raised speed limits to 70 mph or higher on some portion of their roadway systems.
In many states, maximum speeds vary depending on vehicle type (car or truck), roadway location (urban or rural), or time of day. GHSA tracks state maximum speed limits for both urban and rural interstates, as well as other limited access roads.
In a few states, speed limits are not set by law.
The term aggressive driving covers a range of unsafe driver behaviors. State laws define what constitutes aggressive driving and stipulate the related fines and penalties. Often, a driver must demonstrate more than one action to be considered aggressive.
To date, 15 states have addressed aggressive driving in their legislatures.
11 states have passed laws specifically defining aggressive driving actions.
NOTE: GHSA does not compile any additional data on speed limit or aggressive driving laws other than what is presented here. For more information, consult the appropriate State Highway Safety Office (SHSO).
Sources: National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and SHSOs.
Laws last reviewed by SHSOs in March 2024.
75 (80 on specified segments)
75 (80 on specified segments)
75 (80 on specified segments)
75 (80 on specified segments)
65 (70 on specified segments)
65 (70 on specified segments)
70
70
70
70
70
70
65 (West Virginia speed limits, in general, are not set by law, but by the Commissioner of the Division of Highways)
70 (West Virginia speed limits, in general, are not set by law, but by the Commissioner of the Division of Highways.)
70 (West Virginia speed limits, in general, are not set by law, but by the Commissioner of the Division of Highways.)
60 or 65 (West Virginia speed limits, in general, are not set by law, but by the Commissioner of the Division of Highways)
60 or 65 (West Virginia speed limits, in general, are not set by law, but by the Commissioner of the Division of Highways)
65 (West Virginia speed limits, in general, are not set by law, but by the Commissioner of the Division of Highways)
70
60
60
60
60
60
70
70
70
65
65
70
40
40
55
55
20
20
65
65
55
55
50
50
65; 70 on specified segments
75
75
75; 80 on specified segments
75; 80 on specified segments
65; 70 on specified segments
75; 80 or 85 on specified segments
75; 80 or 85 on specified segments
75
75
75
75
70
70
70
70
65
65
70
80
80
80
80
70
70
70
70 (60 on specified segments)
70 (60 on specified segments)
60
60
65 (Rhode Island speed limits are not set by law, but by state traffic commission)
55 (Rhode Island speed limits are not set by law, but by state traffic commission)
55 (Rhode Island speed limits are not set by law, but by state traffic commission)
55 (Rhode Island speed limits are not set by law, but by state traffic commission)
55 (Rhode Island speed limits are not set by law, but by state traffic commission)
65 (Rhode Island speed limits are not set by law, but by state traffic commission)
70
70
70
70
70
70
65 (70 on specified segments)
65
55
55
65
65
70
70
70
75
75
70
70
70
65
65
70
70
n/a
n/a
45
25
n/a
n/a
4-lane: 70 Other: 65
75
75
75
75
4-lane: 70 Other: 65
70
70
70
70
70
70
65
55
55
55
55
65
75
75
75
75
65
65
65
65
55
55
65
65
65 (70 on specified segments)
55 (70 on specified segments)
55 (70 on specified segments)
65 (70 on specified segments)
65 (70 on specified segments)
65 (70 on specified segments)
80
80
65
65
70
70
75
75
70
70
70
70
Day: 70 (Light Trucks), 60 (Heavy Trucks) Night: 65 (Light Trucks), 55 (Heavy Trucks)
80
70
65
65
Day: 70 Night: 65
70
70
60
60
70
70
70
70
70
70
70
70
70
70
65
65
65
65
70 (75 on select segments)
65
70
60; 55 if speed limit for cars is less than 70 MPH
70
60; 55 if speed limit for cars is less than 70 MPH
65
65
65
65
65
65
70
70
70
70
55
55
75
75
75
75
75
75
70
75
75
70
70
70
65 (70 on specific segments based on an engineering and traffic investigation)
65 (70 on specific segments based on an engineering and traffic investigation)
65
65
65
65
75
70
70
70
70
75
70
70
70
70
55
55
70
65
55
55
60
60
55
65
55
70
70
55
75, 80 on specified segments
70
75, 80 on specified segments
65
70
70
60
60
60
60
55
55
Guam does not have any interstates. The maximum speed limits for cars and trucks are: 35 in rural areas; 15 in residential areas; and 15 or 25 in school zones.
70 (Georgia's "Super Speeder Law" adds on $200 in state fees for any driver convicted of speeding at 75 MPH or higher on any two-lane roads or 85 MPH or higher on multiple lane roads anywhere in the state.)
70 (Georgia's "Super Speeder Law" adds on $200 in state fees for any driver convicted of speeding at 75 MPH or higher on any two-lane roads or 85 MPH or higher on multiple lane roads anywhere in the state.)
70 (Georgia's "Super Speeder Law" adds on $200 in state fees for any driver convicted of speeding at 75 MPH or higher on any two-lane roads or 85 MPH or higher on multiple lane roads anywhere in the state.)
70 (Georgia's "Super Speeder Law" adds on $200 in state fees for any driver convicted of speeding at 75 MPH or higher on any two-lane roads or 85 MPH or higher on multiple lane roads anywhere in the state.)
65 (Georgia's "Super Speeder Law" adds on $200 in state fees for any driver convicted of speeding at 75 MPH or higher on any two-lane roads or 85 MPH or higher on multiple lane roads anywhere in the state.)
65 (Georgia's "Super Speeder Law" adds on $200 in state fees for any driver convicted of speeding at 75 MPH or higher on any two-lane roads or 85 MPH or higher on multiple lane roads anywhere in the state.)
70
70
65
65
70
70
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
55
55
65
65
55
55
65
65
65
65
55
55
65
65
65
65
75
75
65
65
70
55
65
55
70
55
75
70
65 (60 on specified roads)
65 (60 on specified roads)
75
75
75
75
65
65
65
65
55 (65 on select interstate routes by engineering investigation and case by case, not automatic or default)
55 (65 on select interstate routes by engineering investigation and case by case, not automatic or default)
55 (65 on select interstate routes by engineering investigation and case by case, not automatic or default)
55 (65 on select interstate routes by engineering investigation and case by case, not automatic or default)
55
55
65
65
65
65
70
70
Download this special complimentary issue of Directions in Highway Safety, GHSA’s members-only newsletter. To receive future issues of Directions, become an Associate Member of GHSA and join us as we lead the way in moving toward zero deaths on our nation’s roadways.
Closed schools, fewer activities, less opportunity for summer jobs and the easing of COVID-19 restrictions could prove dangerous for the nation’s teens as they take to the roads this summer.
Story by Tanya Mohn
May 30, 2020
In the wake of anticipated increased highway traffic nationwide as states reopen for business and recreational activities, GHSA is urging motorists to be careful.
Story by Douglas Clark
May 22, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 20, 2020
CONTACT: Joe Feese, 202-580-7930, joe@ghsa.org
